UAE showcases women empowerment model at UN forum
Speaking at the UN gathering, the UAE delegation showcased the country's model of inclusive development—built on empowering women, supporting families and driving progress through equality in education, work, and leadership.
The delegation highlighted national milestones, including equal pay legislation, constitutional protections for gender equality, and the rising number of women in leadership—now making up 50 per cent of the Federal National Council and 26 per cent of Cabinet positions.
Women also account for nearly half of STEM graduates and 80 per cent of the scientific team behind the Emirates Mars Mission.
The UAE also emphasised its global efforts, including programmes like Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak's Women in Peace and Security Initiative, offering its experience to help accelerate gender progress worldwide.
On the sidelines of the forum, the UAE Consulate and National SDG Secretariat hosted a roundtable focused on innovation in promoting gender equality beyond 2030.
The event tackled the digital gender divide, care economy reforms, and boosting women in leadership—with voices from international experts, including ministers, UN leaders and private sector figures.
Officials stressed that empowering communities, especially women and families, remains both the foundation and future of sustainable development.
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New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters There is, for all to see, a genocide unfolding. Yet, Starmer's response has been to pledge recognition of Palestine only if Israel first meets an extensive checklist: a ceasefire, unimpeded aid deliveries, a halt to West Bank annexations, and more. These demands are themselves basic duties under international law, not extra concessions. Moral failure Making Palestinian statehood contingent on Israel's compliance with legal norms is a profound moral failure. It sends a dangerous message, that Palestinians can only have their basic rights if their occupier allows it. Recognition cannot and must not be a reward for halting war crimes. Self-determination is not conditional; it is an inalienable right. This long-overdue move, cloaked in conditions, is nothing short of an insult to Palestinian dignity. Making Palestinian statehood contingent on Israel's compliance with legal norms is a profound moral failure Public opinion in the UK already reflects this sentiment. Recent polling shows that 45 percent of Britons support recognising a Palestinian state, with only 14 percent opposed. There is also growing pressure for the government to take a stronger stance against Israel's actions. Starmer's declaration that recognition depends on Israel taking "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza" is not a policy of principle, it is political triangulation. It attempts to placate growing public discontent while avoiding any real confrontation with Israel's system of apartheid, occupation and genocide. Realities on the ground The UK's posture becomes even more indefensible when viewed against the backdrop of international legal pronouncements. In January 2024, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) found "plausible genocide" in Gaza, calling explicitly on all states to act to prevent it. Furthermore, in July 2024, the ICJ issued an advisory opinion affirming the illegality of Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem, and found that its policies amounted to violations of international law, including apartheid and unlawful settlement expansion. Despite these clear rulings, the UK has continued to arm and support Israel. A recent investigation revealed that since September 2024, the UK has sent 8,630 separate munitions to Israel, including components for F-35 fighter jets - after claiming to have suspended arms exports. MPs have raised serious concerns that the government has misled parliament, risking British complicity in war crimes. At the United Nations, the UK frequently abstains from votes calling for an end to the occupation, citing the need for a "negotiated two-state solution". 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This isn't statehood, it's political theatre masking Israeli crimes against humanity. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.
